Timberwolves expecting ‘breakout year’ out of Andrew Wiggins

Andrew Wiggins has failed to live up to the expectations of being a former No. 1 overall pick, but the Minnesota Timberwolves nevertheless expect the dynamic guard to make serious strides in the coming season.

Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders, during an in-game interview at the Las Vegas Summer League, made it clear the team is looking for big things out of Wiggins.

“We look forward to him having a breakout year. He’s already in the gym and we feel confident about Andrew [Wiggins] in that sense,” Saunders said.

Wiggins, who the T-Wolves acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Kevin Love trade, has been maddeningly inconsistent throughout his five-season NBA career. While the talent and athleticism possessed by the 24-year-old forward is unmistakeable, Wiggins has not put together an all-around game that justifies his five-year, $148 million contract.

That said, the Timberwolves continue to remain remarkably patient with Wiggins, perhaps in part due to both his evident untapped potential and the exorbitant financial commitment the organization has in him.

The Timberwolves are set to embark upon a new era, with the interim tag being removed from Saunders’ job title, a new boss in president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas and a slew of new assistant coaches.

There have been significant rumors that the Wolves have been looking to move Wiggins this offseason, but the albatross of a contact makes any potential deal unlikely.

The fact that Wiggins remains an enigma this far into his career is far from encouraging, but with a new organizational philosophy, recalibrated system and the support of the coaching staff and front office, perhaps the enigmatic and still-young player can finally turn the corner in 2019-20.